Some great news about middle age and how to stay sharp new search about baby boomer brain power from ABC's Lisa stark. -- -- brain is well -- of rainy. Then we thought it was used in this revolution in thinking about the brain Patricia Cohen is the author of the new book about mid life age forty to 65. I'm middle age what is my brain great -- Verbal ability should be at a high now vocabulary is one of the things that keeps on improving financial skills financial assessment. Management that's at a high. Doctor Gary Small agrees he studies the aging brain when we reach middle age there's a sweet spot. -- our brain cells are actually firing more rapidly. Than they do when they're younger here's one of the reasons why if you closer look at the brain the cells are constantly communicating. With the help of an insulation called myelin. At mylan thickens and peaks around middle age meaning messages in the brain -- -- faster. That allows the brain to solve complex problems more quickly and accurately. What's that mean in terms of everyday skills. Memory peaks around age 45. Financial planning skills age 53. Vocabulary. Not -- your sixties or seventies but how best to stay sharp he answer may surprise issue -- exercise. We will get your heart to pump nutrients and oxygen to your brain cells. Chemicals will cause those brain cells to actually sprout out and communicate to each other more effective. Also critical what you eat and how you feel. We want to needed rain healthy dot. Fish nuts whole grains we want to manage stress chronic stress will shrink your brain cells -- brisk walk and then. Relax your brain is really at the top of its game now doesn't that ease the mind Lisa stark ABC news New York.

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